How to Make Machine Embroidered Patches Without an Embroidery Machine

Introduction: How to Make Machine Embroidered Patches Without an Embroidery Machine

Ever wanted to make an embroidered patch? Don't have an embroidery machine? No problem! In this instructable, I will show you how to make basic patches with my 10 year-old sewing machine.

In case you were curious as to what these were for, I am making a BLU Sniper costume from Team Fortress 2.

This is my first instructable, so any concrit you have would be appreciated =]

Step 1: Supplies

To make patches, you will need the following:

-a sewing machine that can do satin stitch-a base fabric-fusible interfacing-thread-design-a pencil-a light box of some kind-if you have one, an embroidery hoop (I didn't have one, but you might need one if you are doing wider stitching)

Step 2: Prepare Your Base Fabric, Part 1

If you chose a lighter-weight fabric for your base fabric, you are going to need to interface it in order for it to keep its body and shape.

BUT FIRST: PRESS YOUR FABRIC.

Heat up your iron to the setting that is appropriate for the fabric you are using. In this case, wool, I set my iron to 5.

Fabric always looks better when it's not wrinkly. (In case you couldn't tell, this is a pet peeve of mine ;) )

Step 3: Prepare Your Base Fabric, Part 2

Okay, now you lay your fabric on top of the fusible interfacing and go over it with the iron in a couple of strokes.

Then flip it over and do another pass with the iron. If you have excess interfacing sticking out, it will probably stick to your ironing board, but that's not a big deal. Just peel it off.

Step 4: Setup to Trace Your Design

Take your design and put it under your interfaced fabric. Tape it to a light box of some description or a window with light coming through it.

Step 5: Trace Your Design

Trace your design with a pencil or other washable marking device. I used a compass because my design is mostly circles.

Step 6: Sewing Time!

Fire up your sewing machine! Select your satin stitch and get ready to sew. You may need to change your presser foot.

If your design is lots of lines like mine, measure the line width so you can set your stitch width appropriately.

If you are filling in a design, you can set it to the widest width and go over your design until it is filled in.

WHEN SEWING: make sure you keep your fabric as taut as possible. This is easier to do if you have an embroidery hoop, though I didn't have one. You'll probably need one if you are doing wide stitching.

Step 7: Finishing

When you design your patch, make sure to put in a border of some kind so it doesn't fray (unless you're going for that effect for some reason). When you're done sewing, cut as close to the edge of your stitching as you possibly can. Make sure you don't cut your stitches, though!

Step 8: You're Done!

Now you have some embroidered patches! You can sew them onto whatever you want now.

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12 Discussions

Dude, I searched google for how to make patches for my Engie cosplay but I only searched "How to make embroidered patches" and this came up and I was so happy to see a fellow TF2 fan. I about screamed.

How do you keep the patches from furling? I sewed two layers of canvas together, following your directions, but it came out a tad wonky. I'm not sure if the tension was off (it looks fine?) and it stretched a bit, or...something else? Have you had that problem?

You may need to use a hoop to keep your tension even throughout your design. It could also be that your second layer of canvas moved while you were sewing and that messed up your tension. If you aren't using a hoop, you need to make sure your interfacing or stabilizer is stuck to the back of your fabric so it doesn't move around.

Or, if you are afraid of ruining your screen, measure the rings (in this case) and draw them based on the measurements. Or draw most of the outlines VERY lightly with a soft pencil. (I almost made a permanent my little pony in my 20" screen ^^''')